System and method for providing customizing software modules to secure electronic game machines

ABSTRACT

An improved method and system is provided for customizing game programs used in connection with electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”). Such methods and systems provide for generating custom game content and creating a secure digital file for the content that can be transmitted to a gaming venue where the content can be operationally attached to an EGM or central server. The EGM or server can run a verification procedure on the digital file and instruct the EGM to substitute the content for original or existing content on the EGM&#39;s data storage device. Embodiments further provide for transmitting the custom content to a remote regulatory authority prior to being delivered to the gaming venue or EGM.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/600,156 filed Feb. 17, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to an improved method for customizing electronic gaming machines and a system incorporating the method. More particularly, embodiments disclosed herein pertain to such improved methods and systems for transferring regulatory compliant custom content to an electronic gaming machine to replace or supplement an existing game program.

BACKGROUND

Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) are generally well known and have been popular for a number of years. Such machines can include for example, coin-operated amusement devices, bar-top amusement devices, home gaming systems and video gaming machines such as video poker machines, video slot machines and video roulette machines. Typically, such machines have an internal computer and/or processor that stores and runs a game program with electronic instructions for processing input from a player and for carrying out the game.

In regulated jurisdictions where players are allowed to place wagers on the outcome of such games, there are usually regulations that require game programs of an EGM to be verified as being identical to versions that have been pre-approved or otherwise in compliance with applicable gaming laws. Typically, such verification is accomplished by performing some form of hash or datasum check which is a known technique in the relevant art. If the check fails, the regulator will not allow the software to be used in a regulated gaming facility.

After an EGM has been in put into use, it is typical for the operator of the EGM to want or need to make modifications or customizations to specific elements of a game program for purposes of maintaining player interest in the game or for purposes of updating certain aspects of the game. Generally, such subsequent modification or customization of a game program used in an EGM can require that the operator obtain recertification for the entire game program. This process is typically expensive and time-consuming and can require every customized version of the game program to be distinctly approved as an entirely new game. It is therefore desirable to provide a method or system for allowing verified customized content to be added to an existing EGM without having to recertify the entire game program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the operational arrangement of an electronic gaming machine as described herein.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments presented herewith.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with embodiments presented herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. For example, although embodiments described herein are set forth for use in connection with wagering games and gaming machines that are subject to regulation, the subject embodiments are not limited to such and can be used in connection with alternate types of games or gaming machines, without limitation

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an improved method and system for adding custom content to an EGM after the EGM has been manufactured, sold and/or put into use. Embodiments presented herein further provide for a game or gaming machine for use with such methods and systems. It will be understood that such embodiments provide operators of EGMs a simpler, more efficient and cost effective method of modifying or updating an electronic game or EGM. It will be further understood that such benefits can result in EGMs being updated more frequently to provide a more entertaining gaming experience for a player and a better return for the operator.

As an example, an EGM configured as a video poker device typically displays representations of playing cards on the display. As is customary, the playing cards may have uniform back sides which are displayed until the face value of the card is revealed at the appropriate time during play. In many gaming venues such as casinos, the back sides of playing cards are customized to include a logo or design that designates the casino. Embodiments presented herein provide a method for allowing the operator to modify or customize the back side of the playing cards displayed on the EGM by adding customized content directed specifically to the visual representation of back of the playing card to the EGM without having to replace the entire game program.

Embodiments further provide for enabling such customizable game content to be verified by a regulatory authority to confirm that the content is in compliance with the appropriate gaming regulations of a jurisdiction prior to the content being delivered to a gaming venue or loaded to an EGM. It will be understood that such embodiments enable the operator to avoid the typically costly or time consuming process of recertifying the entire game program.

With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an EGM 10 in accordance with embodiments of the subject invention. According to such embodiments, the EGM 10 can have a computer 12, at least one game display 22 a, 22 b and control array 24. The computer 12 can have a programmable processor 14, memory 16 such as for example solid state random access memory, digital software to be executed by the game, one or more digital storage units 18 and a user interface 20. The storage units can be of any appropriate form or format, including for example flash memory data storage devices such as “flash cards.” The flash cards 18 can contain the approved software for the EGM 10, including the operating system, game programming, art, and registration and jurisdictional information. The software which is stored on the flash cards 18 can be standard digital data, ultimately stored in the form of ones and zeroes, and can be used or executed by the processor 14 during play of the EGM 10.

Embodiments of the subject invention can further provide that the control array 24 can be a keyboard, a touch-screen, control buttons or pads and/or any other means for control or desired combination of controls able to accept input from a player and produce output to the game display 22 a, 22 b in response to a players input. Additionally, the EGM 10 can incorporate one game display 22 or multiple game displays 22 a, 22 b which can be any type of device for visually presenting electronic images, such as for example an LCD, LED or CRT display device. It will be understood that game display 22 a 22 b, the computer 12 and control array 24 can be operatively connected via wired or wireless communication and can be located together in a single unit or housing or in separate individual units.

The gaming machine 10 can additionally have a communication interface 26 for transmitting or receiving information from the computer 12 via wired or wireless communication to other or devices or media such as for example local or remote or computers, gaming machines, servers or displays 28. Such transmission can be performed via electronic network, whether local or wide area.

Typically, if the EGM 10 is played in a regulated jurisdiction, the game software usually must be verified as being identical to an approved version of software, typically by performing some form of hash or datasum check, which is a known technique in the relevant art. Where an operator of an EGM 10 wants to make modifications or customizations to specific elements of a game program after the EGM 10 has been put into use, such subsequent modification can require that the operator obtain recertification for the entire game program. This process is typically expensive and time-consuming and can require every customized version of the game program to be distinctly approved as an entirely new game.

Embodiments of the subject invention provide a method for allowing verified customized content to be added to the EGM's 10 flash card 18 within the customary regulatory standards. It will be understood that such a process can be simpler, cheaper, and more efficient than recertifying the flash drive containing the game software after inserting the custom content.

FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively illustrate a method 30 and system 40 according to embodiments set forth herein. According to such embodiments, custom game content for an EGM 10 is generated 31, preferably at a secure preparation site 42. Such custom content could include any type of program, software or electronic code relating to any aspect of the electronic game, including for example, from alternate visual representations of game pieces and backgrounds, custom sounds, and/or custom house rules of play for the EGM 10. Embodiments herein provide for creating a digital file 32, such as for example a .ZIP archive file, containing the custom content and an electronic file or digest which contains a digital signature for all of the custom content. A metadata file or “catalog” containing information about the custom content can also be included with the digest's digital signature further representing the information in the catalog.

It is preferred, but not required, that the digital file be a single archive file, directory or directory structure, or other similar “container” which contains the custom content, the digest, and the catalog if present. Where regulatory review of the custom content is desired, such format makes it easier for the appropriate regulatory authorities to confirm that the content, the catalog if present, and the digest are an authentic and unaltered collection of information.

Embodiments can further provide for copying the custom content, preferably in a file or container, to a separate “content drive” such as for example a flash drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM. It is additionally preferred, but not required, that the custom content be secured 33, before or after it is copied, preferably by encrypting it with a predetermined cryptographic public/private key pair and a secure encryption algorithm. The content drive can be transmitted to the owner/operator of the EGM 10, either directly 34 or via regulatory oversight 35. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that the custom content can be transmitted via electronic network 42, whether local or wide area, or wired or wireless, as opposed to being put onto a content drive 44.

Whether transmitted to the owner/operator of the EGM 10 via content drive 44 or network transmission 42, it will be understood that the custom content can be delivered to a receiving site 46. Upon receipt, the content can be operationally attached 36 directly to an individual EGM 10 or by a central server associated with the gaming operation which can then redistribute the custom content to an individual EGM 10 or to a plurality of EGMs (EGM_(l)) via server-based gaming protocols.

Where the custom content has been operationally attached 35 by the EGM 10 or central server, embodiments disclosed herein can further provide for instructing 37 the EGM 10 or server to digitally verify the content by running a verification procedure on the custom content and the catalog (if present) and checking it against the digest. Where the custom content was previously encrypted 33 with a known cryptographic public/private key pair, the verification 37 can be accomplished by having the EGM 10 or server use approved private cryptographic keys stored securely within it to attempt to decrypt the content. If the content is able to be unlocked by the private key, the EGM 10 or server can recognize the custom content as being valid and accept the custom content. If, however, the custom content is not able to be unlocked by the EGM 10 or server, the EGM 10 or server can reject the content.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, after the custom content has been delivered and operationally attached 36 to an EGM 10 or server, and verified (if desired), the custom content, together with the digest and catalog (if present) can be downloaded 38 to the EGM's flash drive 18 in such a way that the EGM 10 can later re-verify it as required. This re-verification can be done at the time the EGM 10 is booted and can enable operators or regulators to run verification checks on the directory structure containing the content. Embodiments disclosed herein can further provide for instructing 39 the EGM 10, by some fixed algorithm or user direction, to substitute the custom content for the default or existing content previously loaded on the EGM's flash drive 18.

Embodiments of the subject invention can further provide for remote verification of custom content by an entity, such as for example a regulatory authority, prior to delivering the custom content to a gaming venue or to the EGM 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, after the custom content is generated 31 and a digital file is created 32, embodiments disclosed herein provide for delivering or transmitting 35 the custom content to a regulatory authority remote to the receiving site or EGM 10 where the content is to be installed. Such a location can be operated by government agency such as for example a state or municipal gaming authority, board or commission.

According to such embodiments, the custom content can be transmitted or delivered 35 in the manner previously described and operationally received by a computer or server at the remote location. Once the custom content is operationally received by a computer or server at the remote location, the computer or server can digitally verify the content by running a verification procedure as previously described. Once the verification procedure is complete and deemed to be in compliance with applicable regulations, the custom content can then be transmitted or delivered to the gaming venue or EGM 10. Such embodiments enable a regulatory body responsible for the operation of the EGM 10 which is to receive the custom content to be able to inspect and verify that the content is in compliance with the appropriate regulations prior to it being loaded to an EGM 10. This benefit provides for a more consistent and reliable verification process and avoids disruption that can be caused on-site inspections of gaming programs after an EGM 10 has already been put into operation.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: generating custom content for an electronic gaming machine; creating a digital file containing the custom content and a file which contains a digital signature for all the custom content; securing the custom content with a predetermined cryptographic public/private key pair and a secure encryption algorithm; transmitting the digital file to an operator of an electronic gaming machine; operationally attaching the digital file to an electronic gaming machine; instructing the electronic gaming machine to digitally verify the content of the digital file by running a verification procedure on the digital file and checking it against the digital signature; downloading the custom content to a data storage device of the electronic gaming machine; instructing the electronic gaming machine to substitute the custom content for existing game content on the electronic gaming machine's data storage device; and substituting the custom content for existing game content on the electronic gaming machine's data storage device.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transferring the digital file to a regulatory authority for inspection and verification prior to downloading the custom content to the data storage device of the electronic gaming machine.
 3. The method of claim 1 where creating a digital file further comprises creating a metadata file containing information about the custom content.
 4. The method of claim 1 where creating a digital file further comprises creating a single archive file containing the custom content.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising copying the digital file to a content drive.
 6. The method of claim 1 where transmitting the digital file is accomplished via electronic network.
 7. The method of claim 1 where transmitting the digital file to an operator of an electronic gaming machine further comprises delivering the digital file to a central server which redistributes the custom content to a plurality of electronic gaming machines via server-based protocols.
 8. The method of claim 1 where instructing the electronic gaming machine to digitally verify the content of the digital file is accomplished by decrypting the custom content by using an approved private key stored electronically on the electronic gaming machine.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising re-verifying the custom content after it has been substituted for existing game content.
 10. A system comprising: a secure custom prep site for creating a digital file of customized game content encrypted with a predetermined cryptographic public/private key pair; means for transmitting the digital file to a receiving site, said means being an electronic network or digital media; a receiving site associated with at least one electronic gaming machine; at least one electronic gaming machine having at least one electronic data storage device to receive the customized game content, a processor, digital software to be executed by the gaming machine, a control array, and at least one display for displaying game play, the digital software having a cryptographic private key suitable for decrypting the customized game content.
 11. The system of claim 10 where the electronic network comprises a wireless network.
 12. The system of claim 10 where the receiving site comprises a gaming venue.
 13. The system of claim 10 where the receiving site has a server operationally connected to a plurality of electronic gaming machines.
 14. The system of claim 10 where the electronic data storage device comprises a flash card.
 15. The system of claim 10 where the digital file contains a digital signature for all custom content.
 16. The system of claim 10 where the digital file is digitally encrypted with a public/private key pair and a secure encryption algorithm.
 17. The system of claim 10 where the electronic game machine has a private encryption key electronically stored in the at least one electronic data storage device.
 18. A gaming machine comprising: at least one electronic data storage device to receive alternate customized game content encrypted with a predetermined cryptographic public/private key pair; a processor operatively coupled to the at least one electronic storage device; digital software to be executed by the game, the software stored on the at least one electronic storage device, the software having a cryptographic private key suitable for decrypting the alternate customized game content; at least one control array operatively coupled to the processor and at least one electronic data storage via an interface. at least one display for displaying game play and other related information.
 19. The gaming machine of claim 18 where the at least one electronic data storage device is a flash card.
 20. The gaming machine of claim 18 further comprising a communications interface.
 21. The gaming machine of claim 18 where the control array comprises a keyboard, mechanical lever, control pad, button or touch screen.
 22. The gaming machine of claim 18 where the at least one display comprises a LCD, LED or CRT display device.
 23. The game of claim 18 where the game comprises a video poker machine. 